Xu Tongdao already knew what kind of person Xu Hengbing was from his previous life.
Many people in the village privately described Xu Hengbing with a single phrase—
"a shit-skinned leech."
What did that mean?
Simply put, it meant someone you couldn't afford to get involved with. Once you did, you could never shake them off. When a "shit-skinned leech" got into an argument or a fight, they wouldn't stop until they'd won.
In the countryside, every village usually had someone like this.
Everyone learned to keep their distance and avoid dealing with such people whenever possible.
When Xu Tongdao went into Xu Hengbing's house to carry out the rice earlier, he had been on guard the entire time, wary that Xu Hengbing might fly into a rage and lash out desperately.
Especially when he was carrying a sack of rice out through the front gate, Xu Tongdao had deliberately kept his eyes and ears open.
So the moment Xu Hengbing charged out of the kitchen wielding a cleaver, Xu Tongdao noticed immediately.
He stopped in his tracks and cast a cold sideways glance at the onrushing Xu Hengbing.
Blinded by rage, Xu Hengbing moved fast. In the blink of an eye, he was right in front of Xu Tongdao, the cleaver raised high and chopping down without hesitation.
At that instant, ruthlessness surged in Xu Tongdao's heart.
His left foot stepped forward, his body twisting to the side. The sack of rice on his right shoulder naturally shifted position, perfectly blocking the cleaver as it came down.
Rip—
The woven sack split open with a loud tear, and golden rice spilled out in a rush.
Xu Hengbing hurriedly yanked the cleaver free, but before he could swing a second time, Xu Tongdao shrugged his shoulder and hurled the sack of rice straight at Xu Hengbing's face.
The impact knocked Xu Hengbing stumbling backward.
Before Xu Hengbing could regain his footing, Xu Tongdao had already rushed in, tackling him to the ground once again.
A heavy punch smashed into Xu Hengbing's right arm—the one holding the cleaver—sending the blade flying from his grip.
Then, amid the shocked cries of the onlookers, Xu Tongdao unleashed another brutal beating, raining punches down on Xu Hengbing's head and face.
Xu Hengbing screamed miserably, struggling nonstop, both arms wrapped tightly around his head.
This time, many people rushed in almost immediately to break it up—Xu Hengbing's mother, the village head, and others—dragging and pulling with all their strength before finally prying the enraged Xu Tongdao off him.
…
Across the drainage ditch, Ge Xiaoyu and her younger brother Ge Xiaotian stood at their front gate, staring in stunned disbelief at what had just happened.
Ge Xiaoyu blinked her large eyes, unable to believe what she'd seen.
She knew very well how domineering and difficult Xu Hengbing usually was.
She also knew Xu Tongdao well—they'd been classmates since childhood. In her eyes, Xu Tongdao would never dare provoke Xu Hengbing, let alone beat him.
Yet she had just witnessed Xu Tongdao pin Xu Hengbing to the ground and beat him mercilessly.
A seventeen-year-old Xu Tongdao had beaten a twenty-seven-year-old Xu Hengbing into this state…
Since when had he become this capable?
Beside her, Ge Xiaotian was thrilled beyond words. He lowered his voice excitedly and whispered, "That was great! So great! Heh heh—Xiao Dao is amazing. Xu Hengbing deserved that beating. Good! Really good!"
…
Nearby, standing by the drainage ditch and watching the commotion along with everyone else, Xu Jinshan held half a cigarette between his fingers, his face dark as he watched the village head and others mediating the conflict between Xu Tongdao and Xu Hengbing.
He said nothing.
But his wife, Wang Cuihua, leaned close and whispered, "Since when did that Xiao Dao become so vicious? Good thing you didn't really fight him earlier. This kid isn't afraid of death anymore. Even when Xu Hengbing pulled out a cleaver, he still dared to fight back. Looks like our village has produced another ruthless one…"
Xu Jinshan remained silent for several seconds before replying in a low voice, "This is probably desperation. His father ran off, leaving his wife and kids with all those gambling debts. Their livestock and grain were taken too. This kid's probably been driven to the brink. Right now, he really might dare to fight someone to the death…"
Wang Cuihua shuddered, her voice dropping even lower. "Good thing, good thing we returned the TV to him. Good thing you didn't really fight him…"
…
The village head and other cadres were clearly shaken as well.
They were afraid the situation would truly spiral out of control, and that they themselves would be held responsible.
At this point, the several village officials already on the scene forcefully intervened in the conflict between Xu Tongdao and Xu Hengbing.
The village accountant quietly finished persuading Xu Tongdao, then went over to speak softly to Xu Hengbing.
The women's director patiently worked on Xu Hengbing's mother, explaining the pros and cons and hoping she could restrain her son.
Village head Xu Hengchun scolded Xu Hengbing harshly for drawing a weapon, then turned to warn the still stone-faced Xu Tongdao.
In short, there was only one message—
No more fighting.
Xu Tongdao, who hadn't suffered any losses in either clash, remained silent, only casting a cold glance toward Xu Hengbing nearby.
After being pinned and beaten twice, Xu Hengbing now looked like a mud-covered wreck. His entire body was filthy, his face swollen like a pig's head, both eyes puffed up until they were barely slits.
Blood smeared beneath his nostrils. He'd wiped at it carelessly earlier, smearing it across half his face.
A village cadre handed him a handkerchief. He wiped casually, then glared at Xu Tongdao with a fierce yet hollow stare, no longer daring to charge at him again.
Losing twice—both times being pinned and beaten senseless—had clearly scared him.
After extended mediation, the village head proposed a solution.
Of the two sacks of rice Xu Hengbing had taken from Xu Tongdao's home a few days earlier, one would be returned.
The other would count as medical compensation for Xu Hengbing's injuries.
Then he asked whether Xu Hengbing and Xu Tongdao agreed.
Xu Hengbing remained silent.
Xu Tongdao frowned, thought for a moment, then said, "If he agrees, then I agree."
The village head's face darkened as he barked, "Xu Hengbing! Speak! Do you agree or not? Don't play dumb with me—answer now!"
Xu Hengbing glanced around at the villagers watching. His expression was ugly, but he still didn't speak.
At that moment, his mother hurriedly said, "Yes, yes! Village head, whatever you say is fine. Our Hengbing has no objections."
Xu Hengbing shot his mother an irritated look but ultimately didn't voice any disagreement.
He snorted coldly and strode into his main hall, clearly too ashamed to face anyone.
And just like that, the matter was settled.
When Xu Tongdao emerged once more from Xu Hengbing's house carrying a sack of rice, the village head approached him with a stern expression.
"Xiao Dao! I know there were several others who went to your house to take things a few days ago. Tell me honestly—are you planning to go to those houses next to get your things back?"
Xu Tongdao stopped, looked at the village head, and gave a short nod.
Village head Xu Hengchun couldn't help rolling his eyes. He let out a heavy breath and rubbed his temples, clearly having a headache.
After a moment, he clenched his teeth and said, "Since you're determined to do this, then a few of us will go with you. But let's make this clear first—when we get there, we'll do the talking. You don't say a word. We'll do our best to help you get everything back. How about it?"
TL: If you want to read ahead by at least ten chapters, patreon.com/EdibleMapleSyrup